Healthy eating remains the best source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. A multivitamin is not a substitute for healthy food or a healthy lifestyle, but it can provide a nutritional back-up for a less-than-ideal diet. Experts may not agree about the effects of it but multivitamins helps in bridging nutrient gaps brought by head off chronic conditions or other health risk.
For example, a woman could take a supplement containing folic acid to help avoid some birth defects. She may also take a supplement with calcium and vitamin D to lower her risk of osteoporosis.
Selecting Multivitamins for Your Age and Sex
Most multivitamins are formulated for the nutritional needs of different audiences.
Just for women. These multivitamin supplements are designed for women in their child-bearing years. These include iron and folic acid to help prevent birth defects in women.
For men only. These multivitamins contain higher doses of several vitamins and minerals tailored to the nutrient requirements of adult men to age 50. It don’t often include iron because men need less.
For seniors. Mature multivitamins are customized for men and women over the age of 50. Multivitamins varies with the purpose, sex and age of who will consume. For example, when women stop menstruating, their iron needs drop to the same levels as a man’s. Women who eat a balanced diet most of the time can take a senior multivitamin with very little or no iron.
What to Look for in a Multivitamin
Supplements don’t last a lifetime and can lose potency over time. It is important to store them in a dry, cool place and avoid hot, humid storage locations like bathrooms. They should be kept in a secure location out of children’s reach. Always check the expiration dates.
Which Multivitamin Form Should You Choose?
Multivitamins mostly come in capsule form. There are also multivitamins available in tablets, powders, chewables, gummies, liquids and injectable formulations administered by a health care providers
The difference among variety of them is the rate your body absorbs the supplement. Liquids tend to be absorbed quicker, while coated pills are slower because the coating prevents absorption in the stomach.
You may find a gel-coated capsule or liquid easier to swallow if you have trouble swallowing pills.
There is really no preferred time to take up your supplements. However, taking them with food can help lessen any stomach discomfort.
Multivitamin Safety
The government sets tolerable grounds on most vitamins and minerals, which take into account the nutrients also provided by the food and beverages you eat. Composition of multivitamins varies by brand, but each must contain three or more vitamins and minerals at a dose below the tolerable upper limit, and not include herbs, hormones, or drugs.
Whatever the case, it is always a good idea to consult your health care provider when taking any supplement, especially if you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, or have a history of a chronic condition, such as cancer.
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